Setting up a wagon for the track
oilspot
Wagonist
I went with a friend out to http://www.arroyosecoraceway.com/ this last weekend for his first time running his almost stock 95 civic. It's about a 30 min drive from my house. I did a few ride alongs with him and now I'm thinking about running my wagon out there. It was soo much fun!!!!!
So a few questions........
How to setup my wagon?
I would just go out and run as is but my wagon has body roll, well, like a civic wagon. The whole time we were pushing his car through the corners i was thinking that my wagon would probably be on it's roof by then.
I've read quite a few threads about rear sway bars but the only ones that seem to fit my rt4wd wagon are the suspension techniques ones. A lot of what I'm reading is that they're so aggressive that they will tend to make the rear end swap out when pushing into tight corners when coming off of a good amount of speed.
I figure I'll like what i have.... suggestions as to which directions to go would be greatly appreciated.
89'wagon, a6bottom end z6 top mini me running a p28 obd1 conversion. Suspension, stock struts, ground control coil overs, extended top hats. brakes, DA integra front knuckles, brakes, complete with Master cylinder and brake booster.
What first????
and i hope this doesn't come off wrong... but i would really like advise from experience, not just from "what somebody heard somebody else say".
So a few questions........
How to setup my wagon?
I would just go out and run as is but my wagon has body roll, well, like a civic wagon. The whole time we were pushing his car through the corners i was thinking that my wagon would probably be on it's roof by then.
I've read quite a few threads about rear sway bars but the only ones that seem to fit my rt4wd wagon are the suspension techniques ones. A lot of what I'm reading is that they're so aggressive that they will tend to make the rear end swap out when pushing into tight corners when coming off of a good amount of speed.
I figure I'll like what i have.... suggestions as to which directions to go would be greatly appreciated.
89'wagon, a6bottom end z6 top mini me running a p28 obd1 conversion. Suspension, stock struts, ground control coil overs, extended top hats. brakes, DA integra front knuckles, brakes, complete with Master cylinder and brake booster.
What first????
and i hope this doesn't come off wrong... but i would really like advise from experience, not just from "what somebody heard somebody else say".
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Is this what your car has already? If so: get some aftermarket struts, KYB AGX are nice and cheap and a little adjustable. I would go for a kit of stiff suspension bushings also, PM me if you want some very technical info on them. You're definitely going to want a rear sway bar. It should have adjustable links so that you can decide how stiff to run it. If you run it too stiff, it will make the back end want to come out, but most civics understeer - so you want the back to rotate pretty well. If the ST sway bar doesn't have adjustable links then I wouldn't get it.... or fab something so that you can put adjustable links. No point in having a sway bar if you can't tune it, in my opinion. You will definitely want some good tires, an IR thermometer, and a very accurate tire pressure gauge - preferably with a relief valve. You can check the outside versus the middle and the insides of the tires with the IR thermometer to tell you if you need any camber adjustment. If you have no camber adjustment, work with the tire pressure based on how the car feels and what the temps on the inside and out of the tread blocks. Since you have adjustable coilover springs, you really should get the car corner balanced. Most performance shops can do this, all it is is adjusting the spring perches until the weight is spread evenly between all four wheels of the car at the same time.
You will definitely want adjustable aftermarket struts, it makes a world of difference, and most of them are very easily adjustable, so you will be able to change the feel of the car between laps, and try to keep it from snap-oversteering if you have a crazy real swap bar.
And do some performance driving schools! I don't care how good of a driver you think you are, the experience and instructions is CRUCIAL.
All mods do is to waste $$$ & mask bad driving.FOrget performance schools....more $$$.
Do AutoX schools.Some times local autoX clubs or SCCA have low cost autoX schools.
Get better drivers to ride along to give you pointers.Even track events usually have a driver school.
Nice thing about cheap tires.You get early warning...TIRE SCreammmm.That means you're at the limit.With extreme performance tires it could be a little noise and then the drift starts.... :oops: Oilspot Oppss i meant udubrx7 is right learn to drive.It'll buy you more speed than the mentioned mods.
***** This for sure. I always believe driver over car parts
udubrx7 is right learn to drive.It'll buy you more speed than the ... mods.
[quote=Wangon_bob]***** This for sure. I always believe driver over car parts[/quote]
If you wish to improve your performance on the track, as stated above, aim for the autocross schools going once or twice a year in your area.
You will learn to push the car up to its CURRENT limits, and avoid falling into what I call the modding temptation! I truly sherrish autox because it's cheap and not too hard on the car. After several events, or a full season, try to get a lapping day in your schedule/budget--> this will give you an idea of the weak points of your car...
Once you have highlighted these issues, work a plan to fix/improve the reliability and security of your car. I.e.
- brake fading?
- engine over heating?
- (if boosted), oil over heating?
- fuel starvation/surging when cornering?
- tires getting greassy when hot?
- etc.
So bottom line, take the car out like it is now and work from there... You will have a better understanding of the handling capabilities and, most importantly, start your seat time counter!
Good luck.
--McDave
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